Adults with autism may be unable to see and read body language, according to a new study from Great Britain.

Dr. Anthony Atkinson of the Durham University showed adults with autism spectrum disorder videos of body movements. The videos had no faces or sounds on them. The viewers could not identify emotions such as anger or joy through body language alone, although adults without autism were able to do so.

"We use other's body movements and postures as well as people's faces and voices to gauge their feelings," Dr. Atkinson said. "People with autism are less able to use these cues to make accurate judgments about how others are feeling."

The study and Dr. Atkinson's comments appeared in the journal Neuropsychologia.

Labels: autism, body language, communication

Impulsivity is a common symptom in people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Impulsivity is simply an inability to stop and think before reaction to something. It is expressed in both actions and words. Someone with ADHD is likely to interrupt others when they’re talking, having thought of something to share without waiting to share it.

To combat this tendency toward interrupting, an article on the Bella Online website advocates on behalf of teaching active listening skills to children with ADHD:

It's important for those who live with [ADHD] to learn active listening. Active listening is the ability to focus and listen to someone who is talking without forming a response to what he or she is saying internally. ... During active listening the person listening should acknowledge he or she is hearing what the other person is saying.

Reflecting or clarifying techniques can also help improved the listening skills of a person with ADHD. These techniques require the listener to restate what they’ve heard, to ensure they understand. This type of listening and thinking can help someone with ADHD stay involved in the conversation.

Labels: communication, listening

Being the parent of a child with ADHD poses unique challenges, frustrations, and rewards. Many parents struggle to communicate effectively with their children and feel exasperated over having to repeat instructions or rules.

"[Kirk] Martin encourages parents to speak softly and whisper at times. 'It helps your child learn to listen more attentively.' He also warns parents not to fall into the trap of requiring a child to maintain eye contact. 'Instead, let your child play with something...or move while you are speaking. This will actually increase attention and retention,' explains Martin."

Martin also suggests setting unusual time limits. For instance, instead of telling a child that the family is leaving in 5 minutes, challenge him to "set a record" by picking up all of his Legos in 3½ minutes. Read more at ADD.About.com.

Labels: advice, communication, whispering

A new study from researchers in Great Britain found that children with specific language impairment (SLI) are more likely to be bullied.

SLI is a developmental disability affecting about 4-7% of all children. SLI children are of normal intelligence but have a hard time understanding language and communicating their feelings to others. It is more common than autism and typically affects more boys than girls.

Professors Gina Conti-Ramsden and Emma Knox interviewed 139 16-year-olds with SLI and 124 who are considered normal.

"Our investigation showed that young people who experience bullying can often become anxious and depressed in adolescence," Dr. Knox said. "Young people with SLI may lack the necessary communication skills to enable them to report bullying and talk about their experiences, leaving them to suffer in silence."

This study appears in Educational and Child Psychology.

Cedars Academy, a private ADHD boarding school for learning disability, is specifically designed to help children with ADHD, Asperger's, and Non Verbal Learning Disabilities.

Labels: bullies, communication, social_skills

A new study has found that differing perceptions between parents and doctors regarding an ADHD child's most concerning behaviors is complicating treatment.

"...parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are concerned with behaviors such as aggression and defiance, while pediatric psychiatrists focus on associated mental health conditions including depression, bipolar and learning disabilities."

The differing opinions mean that behaviors parents are most concerned about often go unaddressed. Researchers hope the study will help doctors and parents find common ground to ensure that children with ADHD are receiving the best treatment possible.

Labels: behavior, communication, treatment